title: Conventional interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for 12 versus 24 weeks in HCV genotype 2 or 3.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of 12 weeks therapy with conventional interferon and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C genotype 2 and 3 naive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from January 2005 to October 2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and twenty seven patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 2 or 3 naive patients were enrolled in the study. All the patients were started on conventional Interferon 3 MIU, S/C, three times a week plus Ribavirin 800 to 1200 mg in divided doses daily. HCV-RNA qualitative PCR was determined after 4 weeks. In case of undetected PCR, patients were randomized to Group-I (where antiviral therapy was given for 12 weeks, n=81) or Group-II (where antiviral therapy was given for 24 weeks, n=81). In case of detected PCR, patients were given 24 weeks antiviral therapy, n=65 (Group-III). HCV-RNA PCR was determined at the end of respective therapies and after 6 months later on. Efficacy was defined as number of patients who achieved Sustained Virological Response (SVR) i.e. HCV-RNA PCR remained undetected 6 months after the end of antiviral therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SVR was achieved in 66 patients (81.48%) in Group-I, 64 patients (79.01%) in Group-II, and 49 patients (75.35%) in Group-III. SVR rate was better in genotype 2 than genotype 3 in all the three groups (p=0.031, OR = 1.52).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conventional Interferon and Ribavirin combination therapy remains an effective therapy in chronic hepatitis genotype 2 and 3 naive patients in our region. Determination of HCV-RNA qualitative PCR at 4 weeks seems to be an important predictor of SVR and should be used to tailor antiviral therapy to 12 or 24 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. dr_farooqi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Javed Iqbal
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Farooqi
authors.forename: Rukhsana Javed
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Farooqi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin